"Bill! I love you so! I always will."

So sing the party faithful. We love Bill Clinton. Those who support Obama, Edwards, Biden, Richardson, Dodd … we might not be in Hillary's camp, but we still have a soft spot in our hearts for Bill. We like that he's treated like a rock star when he travels abroad. He makes us feel like winners again. We fondly remember world peace and a bitchin' NASDAQ.

It occurred to me this morning that Bill is why Hillary's nomination is inevitable. The political pundits were talking about the early primaries. After Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, lower tier candidates will begin dropping out because their donations will dry up. That's when it hit me: because of Bill, because of their sentimental attachment to the Clinton Administration, it will be easier for paid campaign workers, volunteers and contributors to switch their allegiance to Hillary.

I worked very hard for Senator Kerry in 2004 and was there as first Dean and then the Clark and Edwards supporters were folded into our campaign. The Deanie Babies had a hard time because ideologically and emotionally, they didn't cotton to Senator Kerry. They weren't working for John Kerry, they were simply working to defeat George W. Bush.

I predict there will be no lack of enthusiasm when loyal, involved Democrats hop on board the Clinton Bandwagon because it is, indeed, the Clinton Bandwagon. "Two for one" again, just like in 1992. So unless there's a seismic shift in voter mood between now and the Nevada caucus, Hillary will be our nominee.

Just a half game out

After a long road trip, we are still the second place Chicago Cubs, just a half game out of first. How cool is that? We're so close to first I can almost taste it. (First place tastes like Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate.) Whoever thought, with the horrible April we had, that we'd be this close to glory in August?

Personal to Lou and Carlos and D. Lee and Alfonso and Aramis: Thanks for the exciting afternoon, gentlemen.

Fours -- Me been meme'd

Thanks to Kwizgiver for the tag.

Four jobs I have had or currently have in my life:
1. Babysitter (high school)
2. Executive secretary (that's how long ago it was -- no one was an admin)
3. Copywriter
4. Associate Creative Director

Four countries I have been to:
1. France
2. Germany
3. Switzerland
4. Lichtenstein (It does so count!)

Four places I’d rather be right now:
1. Cincinnati for this afternoon's Cub game
2. Chateau Elan spa and vineyard in Atlanta (spa AND vineyard -- no further explanation required)
3. The Ouachita Mountain of Hot Springs National Park (so beautiful)
4. Boston Common (shown)

Four foods I like to eat:
1. Pizza
2. Burgers
3. Turkey
4. Chocolate chip cookies

Unconscious Mutterings #4

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Traditional : Old fashioned
2. Popeye : the Sailor Man
3. Gin : Fizz
4. Harsh : Rough
5. Topless : Dancer
6. The thing : of it is
7. Defiant : Tough
8. Huge : Ginormous
9. Food : Dinner
10. Lenny : Bruce

For more information, or to play yourself, visit Unconscious Mutterings

Forget your troubles! C'mon, get happy!

I am trying to stay upbeat and positive. It's hard, because just about everyone around me seems to be in trouble. The niece I love more than my next breath has medical problems that must be taken seriously, but my brother-in-law just lost his job and possibly his medical insurance (COBRA is so expensive). Her mother, my kid sister, has been diagnosed with kidney stones and calcification on her ovaries. My older sister is in looooove again, which means her teenage children are a hassle to her again. This all weighs heavily on my mother, who is in her 70s and has her own medical problems. I have friends with medical problems, family problems, financial problems, relationship problems.

I care about these people. I want to help. But there's a limit to what I can do. I can give advice, when asked for. Money, when I can afford it. A sympathetic ear. Prayers.

But I can't help anyone with anything if I allow myself to be depleted. So I've washed the "stuff" that seems to be coating my life and clouding my outlook and realize right now, I -- me, the Gal Herself -- have only one real problem:

I miss my best friend.

Yes, he has problems at home, but I don't know what those are and I am powerless to solve them. I do know I hurt without him, I feel vulnerable, I'm easily distracted. But this will end. He does check in with me during every work day (sometimes with just a sentence, but the emails are there) and he assures me that when the crunch at work and the problems at home lessen, he will be back and we will be us again.

Beyond that, things aren't so bad …

• The Cubs are only 1.5 games out
• While I don't love my job, I do have terrific benefits and a lot of vacation time ahead of me
• I'm pretty healthy, all things considered
• I like my new/old haircolor
• I am hopeful that my political party can make a difference in the world
• I have enough money to take over back-to-school supplies for my favorite (and local) niece and nephew, as well as helping with clothes for him and a new haircut for her (important for her first-ever day of high school)
• I share my home with three of the most charming felines EVER (and don't they know it)
• My life is filled with people I could call if I need company

So I'm trying to make life imitate art. In the immortal words of Garland in Summer Stock:
"The sun is shining, c'mon get happy. Better chase all your cares away …"

I still have really good legs, so while I can't sing, I think I may just be able to pull this off. Now where did I leave that fedora?